Some special district boards who have endured controversy during the past year will soon move forward with some new leaders.

Crook County’s 2025 Special District Election concluded Tuesday evening, determining who will lead the Crook County School Board, Cemetery Board, Parks and Recreation District Board, Fire and Rescue Board and more.

The election comes on the heels of some turmoil and controversy on a couple of special district boards. The Crook County School Board has seen considerable turnover since the 2023 election. One member, Gwen Carr, stepped down shortly after the election due to health complications – she was replaced by appointee Steve Holliday. Jessica Brumble, who was elected in 2023, resigned in December 2024 to accept a school district transportation manager position – that position was reopened after an investigation into the hire. And Cheyenne Edgerly, who was also elected in 2023, resigned this past January amidst controversy regarding the employment of the district’s superintendent. Brumble’s and Edgerly’s positions were filled by appointees Eric Osborne and Kelsey Swick this past February, both of whom voters elected to another term.

Kevin Bradley who worked in education for Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council for 28 years was elected over Eddy Howard, an IT manager by a 61.21% to 37.86% margin. Bradley will fill Holliday’s position as he chose not to run to retain his seat. Meanwhile, longtime board member Scott Cooper was elected to another term after running unopposed.

The Crook County Cemetery Board has undergone some turnover as well with much of it stemming from conflicts about the placement of items on gravestones in Juniper Haven Cemetery. Incumbents Jamie Wood and Gary Bedortha who ran unopposed were re-elected. Appointed incumbent Susan Hermreck, who is also a Crook County commissioner, was re-elected over challenger Jack Rabenberg, winning 65.46% of the vote versus 34.05% for Rabenberg.

Crook County Fire and Rescue Board incumbents Dennis Merrill, Steve Lent and George Ponte were all re-elected after facing no competition on the ballot. Also winning election unopposed were Crook County Parks and Recreation Board Incumbent Darlene Henderson and Randy Winders.

Crook County voters also re-elected Prineville resident Laura Craska Cooper to another term on the Central Oregon Community College Board. She ran unopposed as well.

Voter turnout was not high, as is typical of special district elections. About 16.37% of the county’s 21,596 voters submitted a ballot (3,535). The statewide voter turnout for special district elections was just 18.68%.

The newly elected officials will take office on July 1.